Harlequins' unbeaten run of 14 games came to an end with a thud on Friday, well beaten by an experienced and fiercely physical Toulouse side. The French champions showed why they are four-time European champions, and are seen by many as favourites to lift a record fifth title next year at the Twickenham final.
With a 9 point lead in the Aviva premiership the young Quins team had created a wave of optimism, but beating Toulouse was always likely to be an ask too far. And so it proved. The star-studded Toulouse side dominated almost every facet of the game, with perhaps the exception of the excellent Quins lineout.
The French came with an uncomplicated game plan of big-hitting physical rugby. Quins must surely have known it was going to be a long night as they watched Sam Smith being clattered into touch from the opening kickoff. Toulouse didn't let off for 80 minutes. Mike Brown's Saturday morning tweet no doubt echoed the thoughts of his team mates: "Feeling battered, bruised and sore .
The Toulouse pack was excellent on the night, successfully starving the Quins back line of anything like quick ball. Desperate to gain possession Quins were penalised around the rucks, and unable to build phases. On the few occasions the home side managed to get width on the game poor handling was too often the premature end of promising positions.
With Toulouse dominating possession and territory the eventual score (21-10) was flattering to Harlequins, who in reality never got close to winning. The outstanding French halfback pairing Luke McAlister and Luke Burgess exploited gaps left by frequently poor tackling and looked threatening whenever ball went wide.
Despite the loss there was a noteworthy performances from Nick Easter and Mike Brown who continued his solid season at fullback despite being unable to prevent Matanavou's 65th minute try. Quins fans will also be excited by the impact made by the returning Ugo Monye coming off the bench.
Friday's game was the last Harlequins will play at the Stoop for a month as they face a difficult run of games. Travelling to France for next Sunday's return leg against Toulouse will be a momentous task, such was the gap in class last week. A win would be an ideal Christmas present, but Quins fans are more likely to be hoping for a losing bonus point.
It might be that the team are entering a defining part of their season. After Toulouse things don't get much easier, with Twickenham playing host to the Quins clash against London rivals Saracens on the 27th December “ expect more than a few young hopefuls trying to claim a place in the England 6 Nations squad. Into the New Year difficult away games against Exeter and Northampton means Harlequins will have to work hard to protect that precious Premiership lead in the coming weeks.
.jpg "Andre Esterhuizen scored the opening try for Harlequins")
